Hierarchical checking of multiprocessors using watchdog processors

Abstract

Abstract.A new control flow checking scheme, based on assigned-signature checking by a watchdog processor, is presented. This scheme is suitable for a multitasking, multiprocessor environment. The hardware overhead is comparatively low because of three reasons: first, hierarchically structured, the scheme uses only a single watchdog processor to monitor multiple processes or processors. Second, as an assigned-signature scheme it does not require monitoring the instruction bus of the processors. Third, the run-time and reference signatures are embedded into the checked program; thus, in the watchdog processor neither a reference database nor a time-consuming search and compare engine is required.

Error Detection in Control Flow of Event-Driven State Based Applications

“…Derived signatures were used together (i) with stored database in the Asynchronous Signatured Instruction Stream approach by Eifert et al [7], (ii) with watchdog program by Michel et al [8] and (iii) with embedded signatures in Path Signature Analysis approaches of Namjoo [9] Assigned signatures were used together (i) with stored database in the Extended Structural Integrity Checking approach by Michel and Hohl [10], (ii) with watchdog program in Lu's Structural Integrity Checking method [11] and (iii) with embedded signatures in the Signature Encoded Instruction Stream (SEIS) approach by Majzik et al [12].…”

A rapid prototyping system for error-resilient multi-processor systems-on-chip

“…When leaving a basic block, the signatures can be compared and errors inside the basic block can be found. Signature methods can be divided into two groups, namely embedded signature monitoring (ESM) [15]- [17] and autonomous signature monitoring (ASM) [18], [19].…”

Software monitoring and debugging using compressed signature sequences

“…Since the FPGA is programmable in run-time, both structures can be downloaded and evaluated. The fast compression algorithm and the low hardware overhead enable the circuit to be built into a conventional watchdog-processor unit [9].…”